Easysalvage RFID

Walsall company overcomes logistics challenge thanks to the ICT Cluster's high-tech expertise

Finding scrap cars has never been easier

A Walsall-based salvage company is set to make cost savings of over £40,000 and improve its energy efficiency over the next two years, thanks to a pioneering new tracking system.Easysalvage.com processes around 10-15,000 damaged cars per year. However manually keeping track of where cars and components are located, within its 9 acre storage site, is both complex and time-consuming.

“The new system offers so many benefits,” explains Oliver Harvey, Director of Easysalvage.com. “On top of improved customer service, increased turnover and greater productivity, it will cut our fuel bills in half.”

The new automated tracking system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and a Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to store information on the type and condition of each car, and its location. The time taken to locate vehicles has speeded up by 50%; enabling projected cost savings of £40,000 over the next two years through improved efficiency and accuracy.

The tracking system was developed by ICT Cluster funded project - IT Futures which is based at the University of Wolverhampton.

“The IT Futures team helped us to innovate in a way we could not have imagined on our own,” enthuses Harvey. “They introduced us to technology we didn’t know existed.”

“Easysalvage were facing a huge logistical challenge in an increasingly competitive market place,” says Dr Garry Homer, Technical Director of IT Futures. “This solution has given them the competitive edge they needed.”

The tracking system has enormous potential across a number of different markets including salvage and waste management. In the future, Easy Salvage plans to replicate its own success with the tracking system by marketing it to other companies across the UK.

Established by Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands, IT Futures is one of nine ICT Cluster (Information Communication Technology) projects set up to strengthen the region's economic growth by providing high-tech advice, consultancy and support for small to medium sized businesses. Easy Salvage is one of many businesses in the region benefiting from the ICT Cluster's expertise.

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Notes to Editors:
About ICT Cluster

The ICT Cluster is one of thirteen clusters established by Advantage West Midlands as part of its economic development strategy. These clusters have been chosen on the basis of their current strength in the region and their potential to create jobs and economic growth.

Advantage West Midlands is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England whose role is to provide leadership and action to create more, better jobs and in improve the standard of living for all in the West Midlands.

The ICT Cluster will be hosting the Annual West Midlands ICT Conference and ICT Excellence Awards on 20 November 2008.

About IT Futures

IT Futures offers independent advice, consultancy and high level training to small and medium sized enterprises in the West Midlands. Based at the University of Wolverhampton, it is an Advantage West Midlands funded project that brings the expertise of the University’s School of Computing and Information Technology to the business community.
The in-house team of developers enables the development of applications and web solutions without having to outsource work. This gives the consultants a better understanding of the development and implementation processes, which in turn delivers the quickest results and the most cost-effective solutions. Areas of expertise include; web solutions, E-commerce, ADIC / RFID, management information, financial spreadsheets, networking, systems integration, mobile and wireless computing and communications.

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